Oversize / Overweight Permits in Minnesota

Minnesota Oversize/Overweight Regulations

According to Minnesota law, any load exceeding the following weight and size limits is considered an oversize/overweight load:

Legal Size Limit:

• Width: 8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)
• Height: 13′ 6″ (from the roadbed to the highest point of the load or vehicle, whichever is higher)
• Single unit length: 45′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
• Combination length: 75′ (from the foremost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further, to the rearmost point of the vehicle or load, whichever extends further)
• Mobile crane length: 48′

Legal Weight Limit:

• Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
• Single axle: 20,000 lb. 
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. 
• Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.

Minnesota Single Trip Oversize/Overweight Permits

A general 7-day single-trip permit is issued for non-divisible oversize and overweight loads exceeding the legal limits. It covers one movement from point A to point B during the running times specified in the permit. You may require a separate permit to be brought back to the original location. The permit fee is $15 (plus a damage assessment fee if both oversize and overweight). 

For more details:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo/oversize/permit-types.html

Minnesota Annual Oversize/Overweight Permits

This permit allows unrestricted movement for up to 365 days, allowing a particular vehicle and approved load to repeatedly travel one-way between two points on designated routes.

Size and weight requirements and permit costs vary depending on the type of permit.

For more details:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo/oversize/permit-types.html

Minnesota Wide Load Requirements

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ require an oversized permit issued by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Oversize Load Flag Requirements:

All sides and extremities of oversized vehicles and loads exceeding 9′ in width and 75′ in length, including rear overhang over 4′, must be marked with red or fluorescent orange 18″ square flags.

Oversize Load Banner Requirements:

All oversize vehicles wider than 12′ 6′ or longer than 95′  must be equipped with “oversize load” banners(signs).

Oversize Load Sign Requirements:

Signs must be lit up or made of reflective material at night (sunset to sunrise) and visible from at least 500′ away.

Oversize Load Lighting Requirements:

Steady lights shall be used at night:

• on the widest points of the load
• at overhang ends beyond 4′
• every 20′ along the load’s outer side
  

For width over 12′ 6″ or combo over 95′ length, use escorts or LEDs. Warning lights are needed with signs, visible 500′.

Oversize Pilot Cars or Escort Vehicles Requirements:

• Certified escorts from select states (CO, FL, NC, OK, UT, VA, WA) can assist oversized loads in MN, meeting state criteria. 
• On divided roads, a rear escort is needed for width >15′ (bottom) or >16′ (top), length >110′. For length >150′, both front and rear escorts are required. 
• On undivided roads, >15′ width (bottom) or >16′ (top) and >110′ length need front and rear escorts. 

If any part extends left on an undivided road, a Peace Officer lead and escorts are needed.

Note: There can be additional escort requirements specified in the permit.

Minnesota Wide Load Restrictions

All loads wider than 8′ 6″ are subject to the following restrictions:

Oversize Holiday Restrictions:

Unless otherwise mentioned in Minnesota wide load permits, oversized loads cannot be transported on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The restricted time is 2:00pm the day before the holiday to 2:00am the day after the holiday.

Travel limitations during holidays and the summer season are relevant to oversize loads or vehicles surpassing 12’6″ in width or 110′ in length.

Holiday and summer travel restrictions do not extend to overweight (solely) loads or vehicles, except when specified on the permit.

Oversize Legal Travel Times Restrictions:

Generally, OSOW travel is unrestricted up to 14’6″ wide, 110′ long, and 16′ high unless specified on the permit.

Summer travel: (Memorial Day to Labor Day) No oversize travel on Fridays and Sundays from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m., exceeding 9′ wide and/or 110′ long.

Rush hour restrictions: (Twin Cities and Duluth Metro) No OSOW travel Mon-Fri: 6:00 – 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 – 6:00 p.m., exceeding 14’6″ wide and/or 110′ long and/or 16′ high, unless stated otherwise on the permit.

Night travel: (Twin Cities Metro) OSOW night travel allowed 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m. (Mon-Fri, unless on the permit) when >14’6″ wide on non-divided roads, or >16′ wide on divided roads.

Oversize Road and Bridge Restrictions:

Minnesota adheres to the Federal Bridge Formula that provides specific bridge restrictions. As for the oversize road restrictions, they include but are not limited to the following:

• driving through work zones that are under construction
• neglecting warning signals when driving through work zones
• not giving traffic priority to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, etc

Note: All vehicles, including driven and towed must comply with posted bridge weight limits.

Oversize Seasonal Weight Restrictions:

Frost Law is applied in many states and provinces of Canada. Specific restrictions may appear in Minnesota oversize load permits, arising from the nature and type of the load.

Reduced load weights’ dates are released in early March, concluding the elevated winter limits. Frost zones and restricted routes are viewable on MnDOT’s load limits map, while comprehensive info appears at mndot.gov/loadlimits. Permits for >80,000 lbs gross weight continue, new ones if axle/group weights adhere to limits.

For more details:
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/loadlimits/frost-thaw.html

Minnesota Wide Load Limits

Minnesota sticks to the Federal legal width limit of 8′ 6″. Everything wider requires a permit to be moved on public roads.

Maximum Load Limits Until a Trucking Permit Is Required:

8′ 6″ (from the outside points of the widest extremities, excluding safety devices)

Axle Weight Limits: 

Legal axle weight limit:

• Maximum gross weight: 80,000 lb. (including the weight of the load)
• Single axle: 20,000 lb. 
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lb. 
• Tridem axle: 42,000 lb.

Note: You should rely on the Federal Bridge Formula to determine the maximum legal weight. 

The maximum permitted axle weight limit:

Axle groups	Spring load restriction	Middle-range restriction	Unrestricted
Single	20,000 lbs.	22,000 lbs.	24,000 lbs.
Tandem3’5″-8′ between axles	34,000 lbs.	36,000 lbs.	46,000 lbs.
Tridem7′-9′ overall group spacing	42,000 lbs.	51,000 lbs.	63,000 lbs.
Spread Tridem9’1″ or greater overall group spacing	51,000 lbs.	51,000 lbs.	63,000 lbs.
Quad14′ or less overall group spacing	51,000 lbs.	68,000 lbs.	72,000 lbs. (Annual Trip Log)80,000 lbs. (Single Trip)
Spread Quad14’1″ or greater overall group spacing	68,000 lbs.	68,000 lbs.	72,000 lbs. (Annual Trip Log)80,000 lbs. (Single Trip)
Axle group limits	Not to exceed 20,000 lbs.on any one axle in group(SLR)	Not to exceed 22,000lbs. on any one axle ingroup (Middle)	Not to exceed 24,000lbs. on any one axle ingroup (Unrestricted)

Oversize Tire Regulations:

Tires must be in normal operating condition, properly inflated, and feature the minimum legal tread depth. 

The maximum permitted weight should not exceed 600 lb. per tire inch of width.

Someone using a vehicle from another state or foreign country with legal metal stud tires can do so in Minnesota. But if the vehicle is used in this state for over 30 days in a 6-month span, it’s no longer considered occasional.

Minnesota Trip Permits

The state of Minnesota allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 120-hour IRP permit for $15. There is also a $10 fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Minnesota Fuel Permits

The state of Minnesota allows out-of-state operators and carriers to obtain a 120-hour ( IFTA permit for $25. There is also a fee for handling and processing your permit request.

Minnesota Specialty Permits

The need for special permits may arise from your load’s nature, size, and weight. 

Before transporting a vehicle on the highways, the owner/operator must either obtain a special permit or show their intention to get one by contacting the Special Permits Office.

Special Tire-Hauling Permits:

This permit allows the use of a truck with a leader, trailer, or an auxiliary dolly, all having seven or more axles in total. These vehicles are solely meant for transporting earthmover tires and are limited to certain highways as specified.

Conditions:

• Fee: $850
• Width: 12’
• Height: 13’6″
• Length: 75′
• Weight: 108,000 lbs.

Special Soybean Meal Hauling Permits:

This permit lets two- or three-unit vehicle combos carrying soybean meal, up to 106,000 lbs, travel on specific routes:

• US Highway 75 from Crookston, MN to US Highway 2
• US Highway 2 from Crookston to the North Dakota border.

Conditions: 

• Fee: $850
• Width: 8’6”
• Height: 13’6”
• Length: 75′
• Weight: 106,000 lbs.

Note: No seasonal weight increase is allowed.

Amber Light Permits:

Vehicles escorting oversize loads shall be equipped with roof-mounted amber warning lights. 

Loading Zone Permits:

A loading zone permit may be issued for using commercial loading zones by non-commercial delivery vehicles. 

For more information about specialty permits:

https://www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo/oversize/resources.html

Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Minnesota 

Oversize and overweight fines in Minnesota depend on the weight exceeding the maximum legal weight. 

Progressive scale:

• first 1,000 lb. overweight  – $50.00 plus $75(general surcharge)
• 1,001 – 2,000 lb. overweight  – $100.00 plus $75(general surcharge)
• 2,001 – 3,000 lb. overweight  – $200.00 plus $75(general surcharge)
• 3,001 – 4,000 lb. overweight  – $300.00 plus $75(general surcharge)

…

• 10,000  and more lb. overweight  – $1,000.00 plus $75(general surcharge)

Oversize/Overweight Permits Costs in Minnesota 

The cost of Minnesota OSOW permits varies depending on the load type, nature, and excessive weight and size. It starts at about $15 for a single-trip permit and can reach over $850 for special  permits.

You may also be charged an application fee for processing and handling your permit request.

Trucking Permit Service

Express Permits provides a full spectrum of trucking permit services, assisting motor carriers in obtaining the appropriate oversize and overweight permits, coordinating with authorities, and ensuring compliance with state regulations, saving valuable time, effort, and potential penalties. You can rely on us regardless of your load’s type, nature, and destination.